In a significant move towards fostering inclusivity and empowering women in the realm of international trade, the Government of India, through the Ministry of Finance, Department of Revenue, underscores the imperative of gender-responsive infrastructure within Customs Cargo Service Providers (CCSPs), including Container Freight Stations (CFSs), Air Freight Stations (AFSs), and Inland Container Depots (ICDs). This directive, under the Handling of Cargo in Customs Area Regulations (HCCAR) 2009, aims to create safer and more supportive work environments conducive to women’s participation and success in the trade sector.
The HCCAR, 2009, and subsequent circulars have provided a regulatory framework for the functioning of CCSPs, emphasizing accountability, standardization, and enhanced facilities for cross-border trading. Building upon this foundation, Circular No. 50/2020-Customs dated 05.11.2020, specifically highlights the need for custodians to continually enhance infrastructural facilities in response to the evolving volume of import and export trade. Notably, this includes the creation of gender-specific infrastructure to cater to the growing participation of women in various trade roles.
The increasing presence of women in trade-related functions necessitates the provision of safe and inclusive workplaces. It is imperative to recognize and address the unique needs and challenges faced by women in the trade ecosystem. The Government’s commitment to promoting gender equality, encapsulated in the phrase “Nari Shakti” (Women Empowerment), underscores the importance of creating environments where women can thrive professionally.
To this end, the following gender-specific infrastructure facilities are mandated to be provided by CCSPs:
- Gender-Responsive Infrastructure: Ensuring adequate lighting, panic buttons, and other safety measures to enhance workplace efficiency and security for women.
- Care Infrastructure: Provision of services such as creches in accordance with the Maternity Benefits Act, 2017, to support working mothers.
- Internal Complaints Committees (ICC): Establishment of ICCs as per the Prevention of Sexual Harassment at Workplaces Act, 2013, to address grievances and ensure a harassment-free work environment.
- Gender Sensitization Training: Conducting regular training sessions for all staff to promote gender sensitivity and awareness.
- Regular Upgradation: Continuous improvement of facilities from a gender perspective to meet evolving needs.
- Other Inclusive Facilities: Implementation of any additional gender-specific measures deemed necessary for creating an inclusive workplace ecosystem.
In alignment with these directives, all CFSs and CCSPs under the Chennai IV (Export) Commissionerate are directed to take proactive steps to implement the aforementioned gender-specific infrastructural facilities. It is incumbent upon custodians to ensure the availability and maintenance of these facilities, thereby fostering inclusivity and empowerment within the trade sector.
Furthermore, CCSPs are encouraged to disseminate information about these facilities, along with details regarding the Prevention of Sexual Harassment at Workplaces Act, 2013, through official portals and appropriate channels. By promoting awareness and adherence to these regulations, the trade community can contribute to creating safer and more equitable work environments for all.
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GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF FINANCE, DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE
OFFICE OF THE COMMISSIONER OF CUSTOMS — CHENNAI-IV (EXPORT)
CUSTOM HOUSE, NO. 60, RAJAJI SALAI, CHENNAI — 600001.
F. No. GEN/COMP/Misc/4/2022-ENQ
Date: Approved date
Public Notice No. 16 /2024
Subject: Inclusion of gender specific infrastructure facilities to be provided by the Custodian CCSP-CFS/AFS/ICD under the HCCAR, 2009-reg
Attention is invited to the Notification No. 26/2009-Customs (N.T.) dated 17.3.2009 notified the Handling of Cargo in Customs Area Regulations (HCCAR) 2009 to regulate the functioning of Customs Cargo Service Providers including custodians of ICDs/CFSs. Further, Circular No. 13/2009-Customs dated 23.03.2009, Circular No. 04/2011-Customs dated 10.01.2011, Circular No. 45/2013-Customs dated 31.12.2013, Circular No. 40/2016-Customs dated 26.08.2016, Circular No. 49/2018-Customs dated 03.12.2018, Circular No. 44/2020- Customs dated 08.10.2020, Circular No. 50/2020-Customs dated 05.11.2020, Circular No. 20/2021-Customs dated 16.08.2021 were also issued to streamline various procedures relating to ICDs/CFSs including annual audit of CFS, AFS and ICD to closely monitor their performance and to bring accountability, standardization and better facility for cross-border trading which in turn improve ease of doing business.
2. Further, the attention is also invited to the Circular No. 50/2020-Customs dated 05.11.2020, which provides that the custodian shall also take steps to bring about necessary improvements in the infrastructural facilities and other amenities required to be provided to the trade and to Customs staff, as may be necessitated from time to time, consequent upon the growth in the volume of Import and Export Trade handled at the CFS/AFS/ICD. Further, as per the check list of this Circular, the custodians should create gender specific and mainstreaming infrastructure facilities including special Exim counters for the female customs brokers/traders, separate workplace, customer care cells, essential utilities, restrooms etc.
3. In this context, it is also worth mentioning that the participation of women at the CFS/AFS/ICD has increased significantly through the different job roles and functions of trades in the recent past which demands for providing safe working places for women at such facilities for fostering an inclusive and respectful work environment for them. To harness the full potential of trade as a driver for equality, it is imperative that women are adequately represented across all levels and functions of trade. In view of the Government of India dedication to promote Nan Shakti, it is imperative to provide safe and secure working environment to women for furtherance in respective career field.
4. Accordingly, it has been decided that in addition to the existing infrastructural facilities as provided by the Custodian CFS/AFS/ICD under Regulation 5 of the HCCAR 2009, the following gender specific infrastructure’ facilities may also be provided to encourage inclusiveness of women participation:
i. Gender responsive infrastructure at the logistics facilities to improve workplace efficiency of women workforce including sufficient lightening, panic buttons etc;
ii. Provision for care infrastructure and services, especially creches, per the rules laid out in the Maternity Benefits Act, 2017;
iii. Establishment of Internal Complaints Committees (ICC) in accordance with the provisions of the Prevention of Sexual Harassment At Work Places Act, 2013;
iv. Holding regular gender sensitization training sessions for all the staff of CFS/AFS/ICD and field formations;
v. Regular up-gradation of facilities from a gender perspective;
vi. Any other gender specific facilities to have inclusive work place ecosystem.
5. In this regard, All the CFSs(Container Freight Stations) / CCSPs (Customs Cargo Service Providers) under Chennai IV (Export) Commissionerate shall take suitable steps towards ensuring the availability of such gender specific infrastructural facilities and take appropriate action towards improving/upkeeping the above infrastructure. These initiatives aim to foster inclusivity and empower women in the international trade arena. All the CCSP of CFSs are requested to provide such gender specific infrastructural facilities in proactive manner at the CFSs etc., It is also suggested that the custodian may provide wide publicity in their official web-portals that are available for the benefit of all stakeholders involved and in suitable places in the CFS premises, on such gender specific facilities and information about Prevention of Sexual Harassment At Work Places Act, 2013 etc.,
Signed by A Manimaran
Date: 10-04-2024 10:34:18
(A. MANIMARAN)
Commissioner of Customs,
Chennai-IV, Export Commissionerate
To,
All Container Freight Stations (CFSs) and other CCSPs under Chennai IV Commissionerate.
Copy to,
1. Chief Commissioner of Customs, Chennai Custom Zone, Chennai-1.
2. Additional Commissioner of Customs, Docks, Chennai-IV.
3. EDI, Chennai Commissionerate for uploading on website.
